Luke Littler and Luke Humphries with first round wins as Ross Smith impresses with 113 average at PC15

Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have both secured a spot in the second round of Players Championship 15 this Wednesday afternoon. The two darting superstars both won their opening match.

Luke Littler recorded a 6-4 victory over Boris Krcmar in his tie, whilst for Luke Humphries, it was a 6-4 over Paul Krohne. Eleswhere, Gary Anderson secured a spot in the second round with a 6-2 win over Andy Boulton and Ross Smith made a blazing start to the tournament. 'Smudger' left Maik Kuivenhoven defenseless 6-2 by posting an average of 113.23. Among other things, the Englishman threw three 12-darters in this match.

Andy Baetens immediately ensured Belgian success in the first round of the fifteenth Players Championship tournament. The Belgian won 6-2 over Josh Rock, who was seeded seventh at the event in Milton Keynes. Gian van Veen had his hands full with Mickey Mansell, who threw out 81 and 80 among others and took a 4-5 lead against the Dutchman.

Noppert dealt with his compatriot Wesley Plaisier (6-5) in the first round. The latter took a 5-3 lead in the first half of the match by hitting two 12-darters and a 13-darter. A 15-darter and a 17-darter brought Noppert back to 5-5. The Freeze' then decided the match with a 12-darter in the eleventh leg.

Four of the 16 top-16 seeded players did not make it past the first round. In addition to Rock, Ricardo Pietreczko, Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price were also eliminated immediately. They lost to Stefan Bellmont, Keane Barry and Darren Beveridge, respectively.